I heard some bad news today. My first inclination was to see it as unbelievable. I’ve had this feeling many times in the past when I’ve heard similar news, I guess it is a natural reaction. At least it is for me.
I know that this time of year I tend to think about death a little more often. My parents died in early fall, and my wife died at the end of the year. Her cancer was found just before Thanksgiving. Today I heard that a friend lost his daughter. The thoughts went flying back in time. Was it back to 2000, 2001 or 2003? Yes those years and many other years past.
Last Saturday at the Weekenders’ presentation of Mark Twain, Denver said something about loss being part of life. Mark Twains words about loss in his life. Very fitting to almost everyone. In this time coming up for family, joy and celebration, some families feel loss. One less plate at the table, one less person to visit. I hope my friend can find peace in this season, but I know it will never be the same.
I do tend to think about loss during this time of year, also. But I’m sure it is different for you having the losses occur at this time. I hope your friend finds peace for his loss.
I am so sorry to hear about your friend.
For me personally, I thought that this time of year would be tainted with sadness forever after losing several loved ones within days of Christmas, last year being the most recent. I am happy to report that I was wrong, at least so far. As we get closer to the holidays, I’m sure there will be sadness and tears as memories flow, but nothing like the crushing emptiness I was expecting. I have been blessed to be able to feel the joy of the season in spite of the painful reminders of loved ones lost, and I will be praying for the same for others!
“In this time coming up for family, joy and celebration, some families feel loss. One less plate at the table, one less person to visit.”
I hope you don’t mind me quoting you, I really like those lines. It will be my first holidays without my father and with his passing so close to the holidays it really puts things into prospective, like whats really important in life and what I should and shouldn’t be worried about.
I am also sorry about your friend, him and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Will never be the same, no. But there can be healing, even if it takes a very long time and wounds tend to open up from time to time. I hope you had a chance to watch that video I mentioned in a previous post- the third day of the Chicago harvest.